Apple's 2019 iPhones to finally adopt USB-C, rumor says

If you've been anxiously waiting for Apple to bring USB-C to its smartphones in some form, it looks like you'll have to replenish your patience once more. According to a new rumor out of China, the company is only going to support the standard in the smartphones it releases next year.

Sources at analog IC vendors told Digitimes that Apple is busy revamping chargers and the related interfaces for the 2019 iPhones and iPads. The reason why you won't see USB-C in this year's models is that the company "is still in its redesign phase".

At this point, it's already pretty late in the 2018 iPhones' development cycle, so it won't be able to make the necessary changes in time, without possible production delays.

Oddly, the report doesn't go into specifics regarding whether USB-C will be used on both ends of the iPhone cable, or just the one that goes into the charging brick (or a computer). It's entirely plausible that Apple would switch that end from USB-A over to USB-C while leaving the Lightning port on the other end intact in order to continue reaping the benefits in accessory licensing.